Mathematics and Physics, BS
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Mathematics and Physics
Program Overview
In contrast to the BS in applied mathematics or the BS in physics with a mathematical physics concentration, this degree provides a synergistic, coherent, and parallel education in mathematics and physics. To a close approximation, the challenging coursework combines the mathematics and physics cores, with the Physics Laboratory cluster replaced by a single, fourth-year laboratory semester. The program is jointly administered by the Department of Physics and the Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics. Students may be advised by faculty members from either department.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs
Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.
The BS degree in mathematics and physics requires a total of 120 credits, including:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Requirements | ||
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
| or MATH 124 | Calculus II | |
| MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
| or MATH 227 | Calculus III | |
| MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 228 | Differential Equations | |
| MATH 307 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 308 | Introduction to Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 330 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | |
| MATH 321 | Fundamentals of Analysis I | 3 |
| or MATH 421 | Fundamentals of Analysis I | |
| MATH 322 | Fundamentals of Analysis II | 3 |
| or MATH 422 | Fundamentals of Analysis II | |
| MATH 324 | Introduction to Complex Analysis | 3 |
| Approved Mathematics electives | 6 | |
| Physics Requirements | ||
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| or PHYS 123 | Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics | |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| or PHYS 124 | Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism | |
| PHYS 221 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 310 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 313 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 331 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| or PHYS 481 | Quantum Mechanics I | |
| PHYS 332 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| or PHYS 482 | Quantum Mechanics II | |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Classical Electromagnetism | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism I and Electricity and Magnetism II | ||
| PHYS 472 | Graduate Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Advanced physics elective; one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | ||
| Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics | ||
| Introduction to Biological Physics | ||
| Physical Optics | ||
| Laser Physics | ||
| Cosmology and the Structure of the Universe | ||
| Modern Cosmology | ||
| General Relativity | ||
| Mathematical physics; two of the following: | 6 | |
| Computational Methods in Physics | ||
| Methods of Mathematical Physics I | ||
| Methods of Mathematical Physics II | ||
| Senior Project and Seminar | ||
| One of two options: | 6-7 | |
| (i) Mathematics Option | ||
| Senior Project for the Mathematics and Physics Program | ||
| Departmental Seminar (or any SAGES departmental seminar in Mathematics) | ||
| (ii) Physics Option | ||
| Advanced Laboratory Physics Seminar | ||
| Senior Physics Project | ||
| Senior Physics Project Seminar | ||
| Other Science Requirements * | ||
| CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3-4 |
| or CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | |
| CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3-4 |
| or ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | |
| ENGR 131 | Elementary Computer Programming | 3 |
| or ECSE 132 | Programming in Java | |
| Total Credit Hours | 88 | |
- *
If approved by the M&P committee, other science sequence courses may be substituted.